Coach Gailītis erupts in anger but Latvia's basketball team secures win over Netherlands in debut match
In his first official game as head coach of the Latvian men's basketball team, Jānis Gailītis saw his team come from behind to defeat the Netherlands 72-69, despite a poor start that triggered an emotional outburst from the coach.
The debut of Jānis Gailītis as the head coach of the Latvian men's national basketball team on Friday was an emotional affair. The team's poor start was captured on video, showing Gailītis angrily criticizing his players for their passive play, shouting: "Shame, shame, shame! What are you helping? What are you doing? You have to play aggressively." In the first quarter, Latvia never led, while the Netherlands built an eight-point lead multiple times, ending the quarter ahead 26:18.
After the harsh wake-up call, the Latvian team looked completely different in the second quarter. They erased the deficit and took their first lead at 31-30 on a two-pointer by Rihards Lomažs in the 16th minute, eventually leading 41-33 at halftime. Lomažs was outstanding, scoring 15 points in the first half.
The second half remained tense. The Netherlands fought back to tie the game at 44-44 and later regained the lead at 48-47 after a fast break by Keye van der Vuurst. The home team then went on another run to lead 60-52. Latvia gradually reduced the gap, and a three-pointer by Žagars tied the game at 61-61 in the 17th minute. Following two free throws by Lomažs, Latvia embarked on an 11-1 run to take a 63-61 lead.
The Netherlands took a 69-68 lead on a three-pointer by Marijn Ververs with 59 seconds left, but Žagars hit two free throws with 37 seconds to go to make it 70-69. Kristaps Ķilps then converted two free throws with 16 seconds left to make it 72-69. The score remained unchanged, and Gailītis' debut ended in victory.
